TAHA is based on the story of the celebrated Palestinian poet Taha Muhammad Ali.His poetry tells of the experience of Palestinian refugees; his story parallels the story of Palestinians who remained in their homeland after 1948.

This is not a play about the tragedy of a poet, but rather about the triumph of his life. What makes the story of Taha Muhammad Ali so unique and special is that it is the tale of a poet that did not for one moment stop loving.

“Amer Hlehel TAHA is a dramatic & lyrical tour de force. Hlehel's epic account of Taha Muhammad Ali's coming of age and coming to poetry against all odds is a delight for the mind and nourishment for the heart.”

- 2013 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner AYAD AKHTAR

Adapted from Adina Hoffman’s book “My Happiness Bears No Relation to Happiness” and based on the poet’s life and works, writer-performer Amer Hlehel has created a tour-de-force solo performance interweaving Taha’s singular and exquisite poetry with his compelling life’s journey. TAHA powerfully communicates the sorrow, humor, resilience and tender humanity of this extraordinary man and artist.

TAHA has toured the world, with performances in the U.K., Europe the U.S., Australia, Jordan, Qatar, and Palestine. Now it’s time for Toronto to experience the inspiring story of Taha Mohammed Ali in commemoration of the 70th Nakba.

Credits:

Produced by: Toronto Palestine Film Festival (TPFF) and Qadita Productions

2017 events

TRIO JOUBRAN FEATURING YOUSSEF HBEICH ON PERCUSSIONS

Three of the most original musicians in the Arab world: Samir, Wissam and Adnan Joubran are the fourth generation of a Palestinian family of oud makers and players. They have been delighting international audiences for the past ten years with their exquisite compositions and improvisations based on the imposing culture of traditional Arabic music. The brothers have developed a compelling, intuitive style that allows the oud to be heard in a new way, not just in backing work or solos but as a trio instrument in complex, emotional and remarkably varied compositions. They are joined by master percussionist Youssef Hbeich.

We're so excited to kick off our 10th year with a special edition of TPFF's most popular summer event: TPFF Party in the Pits. We will screen our very popular closing film from the first TPFF - Slingshot Hip Hop (Directed by Jackie Salloum)

The party takes place on Friday, August 18th under the stars in Christie Pits Park. Join us for music, souk, food trucks, and fun in the park as we wait for the sun to go down (approximate screening time is 9:00 PM). This event is co- presented by Toronto Outdoor Picture Show#cpff2017

This event is free and open to the public. Check this event page for weather-related updates on the day of screening.

Celebrating 10 years of the Toronto Palestine Film Festival, this year’s event is grander than ever before! The outdoor event will start 3 hours earlier than prior years and will be starting at 6:00 PM. With new vendors, merchandising and a diversity of food, you can check them out listed below.

Vendors list:

TPFF PRESENTS: GAME NIGHT

Join The Toronto Palestine Film Festival for a fun night of cards, board games, and drinks at Page One.

Tickets are $20 and include one complementary drink (alcoholic & non-alcoholic options available) , appetizers, and unlimited access to Page One's wide selection of board games. Plus, you get to support #TPFFTEN !

Food and drink will be available for purchase. Childcare is available with advanace request.

WHEN:

Saturday, June 38 PM - 11 PM

WHERE:

The Garage, CSI Annex, 720 Bathurst St(one block south of Bloor)

ENTRANCE FEE: sliding scale of $5 - $20(Free for those who need it)

Sponsored by Toronto Palestine Film Festival, Students Against Israeli Apartheid (SAIA), York University, and Toronto New Socialists

TPFF NAKBA COMMEMORATION

Join us on May 15th to commemorate the 69th year of the Nakba.

This free event will spotlight the life and works of renowned Palestinian painter Ismail Shammout(1930-2006) and Tamam El-Akhal, with a screening of the documentary The Exodus and Odyssey, accompanied by an art exhibition of Shammout's & El Akhal's famed murals.

The Exodus and the Odyssey is a series of artwork created by the renowned artists Ismail Shammout and Tamam El-Akhal over a 4-year period. The collection of the 19 wall murals allowed the artists to:

“…illustrate our memories and document our experiences before, during, and after the "Alnakba" (catastrophe) of 1948 in Palestine as well as the bitter journey our country men and women had to endure. Finally, we ended the series with murals depicting the future dreams and aspirations of our people.”

– Ismail Shammout and Tamam El-Akhal

WHEN:

May 15, 2017Doors open at 6:00 PM

WHERE:

George Ignatieff Theatre, U of T, 15 Devonshire Place

ONGOING: Art Exhibit is on display at the Areej Gallery May 8-11. See details here.

TPFF ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

Join us as we celebrate 10 years of successes of the Toronto Palestine Film Festival. George Sawa will be joining us for a live performance accompanied by Suzanne Meyers Sawa on percussion. A relaxing evening with friends, dinner, drinks, and with love from Palestine.

Special Program: Live performance by George Sawa will be joining us for a live performance accompanied by Suzanne Meyers Sawa on percussion.

CO-PRESENTATION: GUAPA BOOK LAUNCH

"Family, identity, and politics collide in Haddad's debut...The topic of gay life in the Arab world is richly complex, and Haddad's cinematic, evocative prose rises to meet the sensitive subject matter." Publisher's Weekly

Have you attended one of our events ?

2016 TPFF EVENTS

TPFF 2016 Party in the Pits Outdoor Screening: Theeb

Fri August 5th, 8 PM - 11 PMChristie Pits

Come join us for TPFF's most popular pre-fest event: Party in the Pits Outdoor Screening! We will be showing the Oscar-nominated film Theeb by Naji Abu Nowar. The event happens Friday August 5th, under the stars in Christie Pits Park. Join us at 8pm for some music, food trucks and fun in the park as we wait for the sun to go down (approximate screening time 9:00pm). Not only is 2016 the year this film (the first for Jordan) was nominated for an Oscar, it also marks the 100th anniversary of the Arab revolt - a transformative event that re-shaped the geopolitics of the region including Palestine.

Film Description:

Set in the Hejaz province of the Ottoman Empire, 1916, Theeb [Wolf in Arabic] lives with his Bedouin tribe unaware of the historic changes unfolding in the world – WW1 is raging, the Arab revolt is brewing, and the Ottoman empire is crumbling. Having recently lost his father, it falls to Theeb's brother, Hussein, to raise him in this harsh environment. When a British Army Officer and his guide seek their assistance for a mysterious mission, Hussein agrees to escort the pair to their destination, so not to dishonour their late father’s reputation. Disobeying his brother’s instructions, Theeb chases after Hussein and embarks on a treacherous journey across the Arabian Desert. For Theeb to survive he must live up to the name his father gave him. This beautiful film was shot in the breathtaking landscapes of Wadi Rum and Wadi Araba with a cast made up of members from a local Bedouin tribe.